Blade Runner

#43

[THE WILDERNESS - ALBUM 11]

After much internal to-ing and fro-ing, I've decided to not do reviews of the soundtracks that I listened to during this time, because I don't think they translate equally to albums. They act more as reminders for why a certain game or movie was good, rather than as a project by themselves. Plus, there would be way too many to go through and my ranking of songs wouldn't quite match the same criteria... it would be a mess.

HOWEVER, this is different. Different in the sense that it does feel like its own entity, separate from the film. Blade Runner is one of my favourite movies of all time: I think it is near perfect (apart from one scene that I hate with a passion); and Vangelis is the man who - to an extent even more than Scott - made the world of that film so distinct and beautiful. So this OST acts as a way for me to easily access that world in everyday life. Moreover, the album doesn't contain the egregious scene from the movie, so it's got that.

There isn't anything quite like the world of Blade Runner (even 2049 doesn't quite catch the magic of it for me). I believe a great deal of that is due to Vangelis' input. So I would encourage people to seek out this album even if they haven't watched the film. In a sense, it feels more like a re-adaptation of the source material - a kind of concept album, if you like. Go into it thinking like that, and you'll realise that it is much more than just an OST.

Track list breakdown:

Main Titles - What an opener. Instantly takes you straight into the world of the music. (8/10)

Blush Response - I love this sample so much. (7/10)

Wait for Me - (8/10)

Rachel's Song - Beauty in the midst of darkness. (9/10)

Love Theme - This would probably have a higher rating if it didn't remind me of THAT scene. (8/10)

One More Kiss, Dear - Even though this isn't my favourite track, I do think it is the one that encapsulates the sheer genius of this album. The complete break from usual scheduling, to give us a track so different, yet still so in keeping with the overall vision is just incredible. Such a great display of Vangelis' range as a musician. Even the placing is perfect, right in the middle makes it feel like such a moment of light relief that just keeps the album going. (8/10)

Blade Runner Blues - Probably the most 'Blade Runner' track on the album. The quintessential. (8/10)

Memories of Green - Bro. Bro... So gentle, depressing, hopeful, harsh, beautiful, nostalgic, dark, bright, lyrical, dissonant, sad, accepting, unknowing, cold, distant, warm. A real showcase of the emotional range that only music can possess. (10/10)

Tales of the Future - Now for something slightly different (8/10)

Damask Rose - Okay they aren't ALL bangers (6/10)

Blade Runner (End Titles) - But this one definitely is. (9/10)

Tears in Rain - The backing track to the greatest monologue in cinematic history. (8/10)

Ranked:
1. Memories of Green
2. Blade Runner (End Titles)
3. Rachel's Song
4. Love Theme
5. Main Titles
6. Tales of the Future
7. One More Kiss, Dear
8. Blade Runner Blues
9. Tears in Rain
10. Wait for Me
11. Blush Response
12. Damask Rose

Crazy how one of my favourite scenes in all of cinema is only the ninth best track on this album. (9/10)